Steve Angeli nets MVP honors at U.P. All-Star Classic

Monday

Jun 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 25, 2012 at 7:53 AM

The two reigning Upper Peninsula basketball Players of the Year were on the same team Saturday, and they directed the North to victory over the South at the 27th annual U.P. All-Star Classic boys basketball game.

Rob Roos

The two reigning Upper Peninsula basketball Players of the Year were on the same team Saturday, and they directed the North to victory over the South at the 27th annual U.P. All-Star Classic boys basketball game.
Steve Angeli of Sault High (Class ABC Player of the Year) and Kenya Oas of Munising (Class D POY) scored 18 points apiece to lead the North past the South 104-93 at the St. Ignace High School Gym.
Brothers Steve Angeli and Riley Angeli played their final games in Sault High uniforms as teammates with the North squad.
"I couldn't have asked for a better way for it to end," said Steve Angeli, who also distributed a game-high 10 assists and made several sparkling defensive plays. "We won the game, and to be named MVP, I never expected that. I kind of thought Tyler Wilson was going to win it, or maybe Kenya Oas. It could have gone to a few different guys.
"I was just happy that we won," Angeli said. "It was a fun game to play in. I think right from the first practice we blended well as a team and that was probably the biggest key to success."
Oas scored 18 points, while Tyler Wilson of Rudyard, Michael Kuenzer of Brimley and Jordan LaPlant of Ewen-Trout Creek chipped in 13 points apiece, and Andy Steber of Calumet had 11 points for the North. Riley Angeli scored eight points and had five rebounds, while Wilson also snagged six rebounds.
Kyle Tiglas of Manistique led all scorers with 19 points, while Lucas Moreau of Carney-Nadeau scored 16 points for the South.
Steve Angeli and Oas — both four-year starters on their respective high school teams — took turns running the point guard spot for the North and sometimes were on the floor at the same time.
North coach Dan Waterman of Munising, who was once one of the U.P.'s premiere point guard himself at Westwood High School, appreciated the North's backcourt combo.
"Players like that (Steve Angeli and Oas) will make any coach look good," Waterman said. "I've had Kenya his whole career, so I knew what he could do. I was very impressed with Steve Angeli, especially the way he took control of directing the team, starting with our practices. He was everything he was advertised to be, a very good floor leader.
"The interesting thing for me as a coach watching this game, is seeing some new players for the first time," Waterman said. "I can see why the Sault had the season they did, with the Angeli brothers to build around.
"Another player who impressed me was Tyler Wilson," Waterman said. "We didn't have much size on our team, but he played big. He's a horse. When he gets his hands on the ball, nobody is taking it away from him."
The North boys took the lead in the second quarter and had a 52-48 advantage at halftime. The North did not give up the lead in the second half, but had to hold off several runs by the South.
"We had to keep scoring, because it seemed like every time we got up by about 10, they would come right back," Steve Angeli said. "But then Kuenzer or Riley would hit a big basket for us."
With just a couple practices to get ready, Kuenzer said the North's game plan was pretty simple — just run and gun.
"We had a couple pick and rolls, but it was mostly just run the floor and shoot if you're open," Kuenzer said. "We had some good guards on our team, so that really helped. I've been practicing with Steve and Riley, playing pick-up games the last few weeks, and we've gotten used to playing together."
Steve and Riley's dad Jamie, was the featured speaker at the team breakfast Saturday morning. Jamie Angeli is associate head women's basketball coach and assistant athletic director at City College of New York.

Nash leads South girls: Olivia Nash of Escanaba took home MVP honors in the 27th annual girls All-Star Classic basketball game Saturday at St. Ignace.
The 6-foot-2 Oakland University signee piled up 15 points and 19 rebounds to lead the South past the North 80-72.
Lauren Goldthorpe scored 16 points her final game on her home floor for the South. Kelly Bintner of Rapid River, Gaby Cappaert of Stephenson, Taylor Granquist of North Central and Jaime Madalinski of Bark River-Harris added nine points each for the South.
Courtney Waara of Negaunee scored 13 points and Jaclyn Waara of West Iron County added 11 points for the North. Whitney Frazier of Brimley scored nine points, while Alyssa Lindberg of Marquette had eight points.
"It was nice to have one more home game," said Goldthorpe, who was the only St. Ignace player at the Classic. "It was fun to play with some different players, and to see how we could work together."
Goldthorpe has signed to play basketball at Lake Superior State this upcoming season.
"I've been following my workout program for college," Goldthorpe said. "I haven't played a lot of basketball lately, but I've been getting ready for it. I'm happy to be able to play (college basketball) close to home."
Other Eastern U.P. players on the South team including Morgan MacArthur and Krista Metcalf of Engadine.
Both girls and boys teams were entertained with boat cruises on the Star Line Ferry to the Straits of Mackinac, under the Mackinac Bridge and to Mackinac Island Friday.